Texans tackle Newton draws task of stopping Mario

Gary Kubiak was asked Wednesday if he’s comfortable with having second-year offensive right tackle Derek Newton, with all of seven NFL starts under his belt, block a certain-to-be-inspired Mario Williams when he returns as a Buffalo Bill on Sunday.

“I’m not comfortable with anybody handling Mario,” the Texans coach said. “He’s a great player. He’s playing on our right (side) for the most part, so that challenge comes to Derek. But we’ve got to help Derek, too.”

“It’s not going to be — hopefully — a one-on-one battle all day,” Dennison said.

But Newton, who’s as mellow-sounding as you’d expect a man with a full head of dreadlocks to be, seems nonplussed by the multiple complications presented by the former No. 1 overall draft pick, whose potential $100 million Buffalo contract makes him the highest-paid defensive player in history. If Newton gets help, fine. If he doesn’t, that’s fine, too. He says he’ll figure something out.

“It’s a big deal, a big challenge,” Newton conceded. “(Williams) brings a lot to the table, but I’ve just got to be patient, play my game, and be ready for whatever he has for me.

“Since Week 1, I’ve been going against a lot of great players. I’ve just got to step my game up more and more.”

Edge in running game
Of course, the win-win way to keep Williams’ hot breath off Matt Schaub’s neck will be to ram the ball down Buffalo’s collective throat, and that hardly looms as an insurmountable task. The Texans have one of the best runners in the NFL in Arian Foster, while Buffalo possesses the league’s worst rushing defense, one surrendering nearly 177 yards per game and a full 6 yards per carry.

That’s right, 6 yards per carry, which goes a long way toward explaining why the Bills are 3-4. They’ve given up 13 rushing touchdowns, which is 13 more than the Texans, post-Mario, have allowed.

“The best way to neutralize (Williams),” Kubiak said, “is to run the ball.”

Adds Dennison: “We have to get our play-action going. We tend to put our hat on (the running game) quite a bit. A lot of our big (yardage) chunks come from that. If they’re putting extra guys down in there, certainly the transition from run to pass makes it harder for them to get pressure.”

One plus for Newton is that he gets face time in practice with J.J. Watt and Antonio Smith. Watt’s 2012 stats dwarf what Williams has done as a Bill — in fairness, Williams has been playing with a wrist injury that required surgical repair during Buffalo’s off week — and Smith is coming off a game against the Ravens in which he had sacks on back-to-back fourth-quarter plays. If you can hold your own with them, you’re doing OK.

First step critical
“I’ve just got to focus on me,” Newton said. “But I know picking on the young guy goes with the game, so I’ll see a lot of (Williams). Because he’s got those long arms, I’ve got to beat him with my first step. I can’t let him get the advantage on me.”

A seventh-round draft pick out of Arkansas State, Newton won the starting job in training camp in a battle with seven-year veteran Rashad Butler (who was subsequently lost to a season-ending injury). He has showed some growing-pains-related inconsistency but not enough for the Texans to doubt his capabilities, no matter how well they understand what he’s facing Sunday. A mixed-bag six seasons in Houston and slow Buffalo start notwithstanding, Williams represents a grave threat to Schaub.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Mario,” Kubiak said. “You’ve got to pay a great deal of attention to him. We can’t put Derek in situations where we’re in a drop-back (mode) all day long.”

• • •

See photos of Mario Williams through the years.

Photo: Don Juan Moore / Getty Images

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According to a new report, Mario Williams' days with the Bills may be numbered. He signed with them before the 2012 season.

According to a new report, Mario Williams' days with the Bills may be numbered. He signed with them before the 2012 season.

Photo: Don Juan Moore / Getty Images

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Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams (94) stands on the sidelines at the end of his team's 50-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Mike Groll) less

Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams (94) stands on the sidelines at the end of his team's 50-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Toronto. (AP Photo/Mike ... more

Photo: Mike Groll / AP

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Mario Williams played his last game as a Texan in 2011.

Mario Williams played his last game as a Texan in 2011.

Photo: Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle

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Reliant rocked when Mario Williams was at his best.

Reliant rocked when Mario Williams was at his best.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Mario Williams suffered a torn pectoral muscle that ended his season in 2011.

Mario Williams suffered a torn pectoral muscle that ended his season in 2011.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Wade Phillips and Mario Williams was a combination the Texans were excited about.

Wade Phillips and Mario Williams was a combination the Texans were excited about.

Photo: Nick de la torre / Houston Chronicle

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Mario Williams was always generous to the fans.

Mario Williams was always generous to the fans.

Photo: Steve Campbell / Houston Chronicle

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Fans came up with a nickname for an appropriate Mario Williams.

Fans came up with a nickname for an appropriate Mario Williams.

Photo: James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle

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Mario Williams met the troops during a stint with the USO.

Mario Williams met the troops during a stint with the USO.

Photo: Dave Gatley / USO

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Mario Williams was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2008 and 2009. He started the 2008 game.

Mario Williams was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2008 and 2009. He started the 2008 game.

Photo: Nick de la Torre / Houston Chronicle

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Injuries plagued Mario Williams in 2010 and 2011.

Injuries plagued Mario Williams in 2010 and 2011.

Photo: James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle

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Mario Williams took part in many charitable efforts.

Mario Williams took part in many charitable efforts.

Photo: Mayra Beltran / Houston Chronicle

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Mario Williams was known for his clutch sacks.

Mario Williams was known for his clutch sacks.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Mario Williams scored the cover of ESPN The Magazine.

Mario Williams scored the cover of ESPN The Magazine.

Photo: ESPN PR

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Mario Williams is a two-time ESPN The Magazine cover star.

Mario Williams is a two-time ESPN The Magazine cover star.

Photo: ESPN PR

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Fans wanted the Texans to draft Vince Young in 2006 over Mario Williams.

Fans wanted the Texans to draft Vince Young in 2006 over Mario Williams.

Photo: David Phillip / AP

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Mario Williams had a solid rookie season with 47 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.

Mario Williams had a solid rookie season with 47 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Mario Williams is greeted in town.

Mario Williams is greeted in town.

Photo: Jessica Kourkounis / For the Chronicle

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Mario Williams was the Texans first pick in 2006.

Mario Williams was the Texans first pick in 2006.

Photo: Nick de la torre / Houston Chronicle

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The pick of Mario Williams by the Texans was not a popular one since fans wanted local star Vince Young instead.

The pick of Mario Williams by the Texans was not a popular one since fans wanted local star Vince Young instead.

Photo: Bill Baptist / Getty

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Bob McNair welcomes his No. 1 draft pick.

Bob McNair welcomes his No. 1 draft pick.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Mario Williams was considered an elite prospect going into the 2006 NFL Draft.

Mario Williams was considered an elite prospect going into the 2006 NFL Draft.

Photo: Dave Einsel / AP

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At the NFL combine before the draft, Mario Williams ran a 4.66 and a 4.73 forty-yard dash. He also bench-pressed 225 pounds 35 times and had a 40½ vertical leap.

At the NFL combine before the draft, Mario Williams ran a 4.66 and a 4.73 forty-yard dash. He also bench-pressed 225 pounds 35 times and had a 40½ vertical leap.

Photo: Jeff Zelevansky / AP

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Mario Williams played college football at North Carolina State University.

Mario Williams played college football at North Carolina State University.